Filter cigarette

ABSTRACT

A filter cigarette is provided which includes an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly fixed to one end of said rod. The filter assembly comprises a core piece of smoke-impervious material. The core piece has a large section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with the rod one end and a small section which extends downstream therefrom. Disposed adjacent to the downstream end of the small section is a smoke-pervious member. A first sleeve is provided which encompasses the small and large sections of the core piece and said smoke-pervious member. The first sleeve is provided with a plurality of perforations disposed in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section. A second sleeve is provided which encompasses the first sleeve and connects same to the rod one end. Portions of the first and second sleeves are in spaced relation and define a passageway, one end of which communicates with the rod one and the other end of which communicates with the perforations encircling the small section of the core piece.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Joseph 11. Sherrill Winston-Salem, N.C. [2]] App]. No. 850,414 [22] Filed Aug. 15, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 21,1971 [73] Assignee R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Winston-Salem, N.C.

[54] FILTER CIGARETTE 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 131/105, l3l/10.7,131/201,131/210,]31/212A 511 1111. C1 A2 01/04, A24f 07/04, A241" 13/06 [50] Field Search 131/10.5, 10.7,201, 210, 212 R, 212A, 213,261 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,582,971 5/1926 Conley 131/201 2,954,774 10/1960 Lebert.... 13l/10.5 2,954,787 10/1960 Lebert...... l31/10.5 X 3,351,072 11/1967 Baumetal.. 131/10.5X

3,472,238 10/1969 3100mm]. 131/2011: FOREIGN PATENTS 1,508,121 11/1967 France 131/2618 Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren Assistant Examiner.1. F. Pitrelli Att0rneyPendleton, Neuman, Williams 81 Anderson ABSTRACT: A filter cigarette is provided which includes an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly fixed to one end of said rod. The filter assembly comprises a core piece of smoke-impervious material. The core piece has a large section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with the rod one end and a small section which extends downstream therefrom. Disposed adjacent to the downstream end of the small section is a smoke-pervious member. A first sleeve is provided which encompasses the small and large sections of the core piece and said smoke-pervious member. The first sleeveis provided with a plurality of perforations disposed in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section. A second sleeve is provided which encompasses the first sleeve and connects same to the rod one end. Portions of the first and second sleeves are in spaced relation and define a passageway, one end of which communicates with the rod one and the other end of which communicates with the perforations encircling the small section of the core piece.

FILTER CIGARETTE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the increased popularity of filter cigarettes, the cigarette manufacturers have been confronted with the problem of meeting this demand while at the same time improving the filtering efficiency of the filter and reducing the overall cost of manufacturing the cigarette. Various improved filter cigarettes have heretofore been proposed; however, because of certain design characteristics they have been beset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) they were formed of numerous component parts thereby complicating and delaying the manufacturing operation; (b) many of the filter component parts were of intricate and costly construction and not suitable to very high volume production; (c) the filters were ineffective, and oftentimes produced too large a pressure drop which was undesirable from the smokers standpoint; and (d) the component parts comprising certain of the prior filter had a deleterious effect on the taste and aroma of the circulating tobacco smoke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a filter cigarette which avoids the shortcomings aforenoted.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a filter cigarette, the filter of which may be readily assembled in accordance with methods which are compatible with existing cigarette-manufacturing techniques.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a filter cigarette having a filter consisting of a minimum number of component parts many of which may be formed at the time the filter is assembled, thereby minimizing problems of inventory.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a filter cigarette is provided which includes an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of the rod. The rod outer wrapping is provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation and disposed adjacent to, but spaced from, the rod one end. The filter assembly includes a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc-shaped section disposed adjacent to and in axially aligned relation with respect to the rod one end. Extending downstream from the large section of the core piece is a small annular section, the diameter of which is less than that of said large section. Disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with the downstream end of the core piece small section is a smokepervious member. Overwrapping the core piece and the smoke-pervious member is a first sleeve which is provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation and in registration with the core piece small section. A second sleeve is provided which encompasses the first sleeve and connects same to the rod one end. Portions of the first and second sleeves are in spaced relation and form a passageway which communicates at one end with the rod outer wrapper perforations and at the other end with the first sleeve perforations whereby the smoke from the tobacco rod enters the passageway circumventing the core piece large section and then flows through the first sleeve perforations at a high velocity. The high-velocity smoke impinges on the exterior of the core piece small section whereby solid and liquid particles entrained in the high-velocity smoke are deposited on the small section exterior surface. After the impingement has occurred, the smoke then travels through smoke-pervious member before being inhaled by the smoker.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of one form of the improved filter cigarette and showing the filter assembly thereof in longitudinal section.

FIG. 2 is similar to Flg. 1, but showing a modified core piece.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified filter assembly.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 31, but on a reduced scale and showing a still further modified filter assembly.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a further modified core piece.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in longitudinal section, of a modified tobacco rod.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one of the component parts utilized in the modified filter assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the filter assembly of FIG. 1, but shown in a partial state of assembly.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the filter assembly of FIG. 1, but in a further state of assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, one form 20 of the improved filter cigarette is shown. The cigarette 20 includes a tobacco rod 21 of suitable length having a tobacco core 22 formed of compacted shreds of blended tobacco, and an outer wrapper 23 of conventional thin cigarette paper. At the smokers end 21a of the rod there is provided a plurality of perforations 24 which may be arranged in one or more rod-encircling rows. The row(s) of perforations 24 is disposed in close proximity to but spaced from the end 21a of the rod.

FIG. 6 shows a modified tobacco rod 121 wherein the outer wrapper 123 therefor has the smoker's end 121a thereof provided with a plurality of symmetrically arranged longitudinally extending notches 124 which are substituted for the perforations 24 shown in FIG. 1.

In addition to the tobacco rod 21 or 121, filter cigarette 211 includes a filter assembly 25 which is affixed to the smokcrs end 21a or 1210 of the rod. The term smokers end as herein utilized means the end of the rod opposite the lighted end, not shown.

The filter assembly 25, as seen in FIG. 1, includes a smokeimpervious core piece 26 preferably formed of a suitable plastic which has been extruded and then subjected to afterforming, a technique well understood in the plastic-forming art. Besides the core piece 26, the assembly 25 includes a member or plug 27 of suitable smoke-pervious material (eg cellulose acetate). Core piece 26 comprises a large discshaped section 26a the diameter of which closely approximates the diameter of the core 22 of the tobacco rod 21 or 121. Extending downstream from the large section 260 is a small disc-shaped or rodlike section 26!: the diameter of which is less (e.g. 0.020-0.040 inch) than that of the large section. The upstream face of large section 26a abuts and is coincident to the end 210 or 121a of the tobacco red when the filter assembly 25 is affixed to the tobacco rod. Member 27, in turn abuts the downstream end of the small section 26b of the core piece, see FIG. 1. The core piece 26 and member 27 are encompassed by and retained in proper relative positions by a snug-fitting first sleeve 28 which may be formed of thin paper, foil, or plastic. Sleeve 28 is provided with a plurality of perforations 30 which are arranged in a row which encircles and is in registration with the small section 26b of the core piece 26. The perforations 30 should be small in size (eg 0.0102- inch diameter) for a reason to be explained more fully hereinafter.

Encompassing the first sleeve 28 is a second, or outer, sleeve 31 which is adapted to affixedly secure the first sleeve to the smoking end 21a or 121a of the rod. The outer sleeve is preferably formed of tipping paper. Disposed between the inner surface of sleeve 31 and the outer surface of sleeve 21 are a pair of thin spacer pieces or strips 32a and b. The spacer pieces are of smoke-impervious material and completely encircle the tobacco rod at one end of sleeve 31 and the downstream end portion of sleeve 28 at the other end. The

spacer pieces serve a dual function: (a) they retain the sleeves in proper relation so that a passageway 33 of proper dimensions is formed, and (b) they form smoke barriers at opposite ends of the passageway. The passageway at one end (the upstream end) is in communication with the perforations 24 or notches 124 formed in the outer wrapper of the tobacco rod 21 or 121. The other end (the downstream end) of the passageway is in communication with the perforations 30 formed in the first, or inner, sleeve 28. Thus, when the filter cigarette 20 is being smoked, the smoke is drawn through perforations 24 into the passageway 33.

Upon the smoke reaching the downstream end of the passageway 33, it is diverted so that it is caused to pass at a high velocity through the perforations 30 formed in sleeve 28 into a second passageway 33a which has a radial dimension of approximately 0.008 to 0.0l-inch. The high-velocity smoke upon being emitted from perforations 30 impinges upon the exterior of the core piece small section 26b. Precipitation of the solid and liquid particles from the smoke is thus effected. After being subjected to the impingement action, the smoke then passes through member 27 before reaching the smokers mouth.

In FIG. 2, a modified filter assembly 225 is shown which differs from filter assembly 25 in that the small section 226b of the core piece 226 is provided with a plurality of radially extending symmetrically or randomly arranged projections or protuberances 229. The projections engage the interior surface of the first sleeve 228 and provide support therefor and thereby keep the core piece 226 in proper axial alignment with the end of the tobacco rod.

FIG. 5 discloses a second modified form of filter assembly wherein a modified core piece 326 is substituted for core piece 26 of FIG. 1. In addition to substituting the core piece 26, a modified tobacco rod 321 is also substituted which differs from rod 21 in that no perforations 24 or notches 124 are formed in the outer wrapper. Modified core piece 326 is provided with a short annular projection 330 which is of smaller diameter than large section 3260 and extends upstream from the large section and is adapted to abut the smokers end 321a of the rod 321 so that a small annular space 331 is formed between the upstream face of the core piece large section 326a and the rod end 321a. Thus, the smoke from the rod 321 is discharged axially from the end of the rod and collects in the space 331 before passing through suitable openings formed in the first sleeve, not shown, and into the passageway formed between the inner and outer sleeves in a manner as previously described with respect to the filter assembly 25.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, two additional modified forms 425 and 525 of filter assemblies are shown. In both of these latter instances the core piece 426 or 526 and the smoke-pervious member 427 or 527 have smaller outside diameters than the diameter of the smokers end 421a or 521a of the tobacco rod. By reason of this fact, no spacer strips 32a and 32b are required and thus the outer sleeve 431 and 531 is adhesively secured at one end directly to the tobacco rod and at the other end to the inner sleeve 428 or 528. Sleeve 428, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, is formed from a strip S of thin paper, foil, or plastic film. The strip is provided with a row of perforations 424 which is disposed between and is substantially parallel to a row of small protuberances 434 and a single elongated relatively wide protuberance 435. After the perforations and protuberances have been formed in the strip S, the latter is shaped into a sleeve 428 whereby the protuberances 434 and 435 and the perforations 424 encircle the sleeve.

Sleeve 528 is similar to sleeve 428 except that the row of protuberances 434 has been omitted. In lieu of the protuberances 434, the large section 5260 of core piece 526 is provided with radially extending, symmetrically arranged elements 536. The elements are of such length that they supportingly engage the interior surface of the outer sleeve 531. To provide added support for the inner sleeve 528, the small section 52Gb of the core piece 526 is provided with a plurality of radially extending, symmetrically or randomly arranged protuberances 529 similar to the protuberances 229, shown in FIG. 2. Sleeve 528 at its downstream end is enlarged so that it will encompass the outer periphery of the smoke-pervious member 527.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the filter 25 in various stages of assembly. In FIGS. 9 and 10 a plurality of core pieces 26 and members 27 are shown arranged in alternate axially aligned relation. The core pieces and members, however, are of double length in each instance. The inner sleeve 28, on the other hand, is of a continuous length having been fonned from a web, not shown, of suitable material, which has been perforated to form longitudinal spaced rows of perforations 30, before being brought into encompassing relation with the core pieces and members. Subsequent to the continuous sleeve 28 encompassing the core piece and members, the assembled unit U is moved in a longitudinal direction until it is aligned with a cutter, not shown, at which location two-up segments T, the length of which is indicated by cut lines CC in FIG. 10, are cut from the unit U.

Subsequent to the two-up segment T being formed, two tobacco rods 21 are brought into axial alignment with opposite ends of segment T, whereupon an elongated outer sleeve 31 of double length and having spacer pieces 32a and b applied thereto is brought into encompassing relation so as to attach the rods to the two-up segment T. Once the attachment has been effected, the assembled double unit is cut into two equal parts by a cutter, not shown, along a line C, see FIG. 11. The two equal parts comprise two filter cigarettes 20. The aforedescribed mode of assembly is performed by automatic machinery, the function and operation of which are well understood by those skilled in the cigarette-making art.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved filter cigarette has been provided which may be readily formed at a rate comparable to that attained in forming standard cigarettes. The improved filter assembly is of simple and inexpensive construction, and yet, produces a highly effective filtering action.

I claim:

1. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly afiixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said rod being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in rod-encircling relation and disposed in close proximity to but spaced from said rod one end, the large section of said core piece having a surface thereof disposed in abutting coincident relation with respect to said rod one end, and said second sleeve having a portion thereof overlying in spaced relation said tobacco rod perforations.

2. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smokeimpervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said small rodlike section of said core piece being provided with radially projecting elements which supportingly engage the interior surface of said first sleeve.

3. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein said tobacco rod is provided with external smoke passage means adjacent to said rod one end and said smoke passage means communicate with said passageway.

4. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein said tobacco rod includes an elongated core of tobacco and an outer wrapper encompassing said tobacco core; the end of said wrapper adjacent said rod one end being notched whereby the formed notches provide smoke passages which communicate with said passageway.

S. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein the diameter of said tobacco rod is greater than that of the large section of said core piece and said rod one end defines the upstream end of said passageway whereby smoke passes directly from said rod to said passageway during smoking of the cigarette.

6. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section;

and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said core piece large section being provided with a plurality of radially extending symmetrically arranged protuberances in supporting engagement with the interior surface of said second sleeve and said core piece small section being provided with a plurality of radially extending symmetrically arranged protuberances in supporting engagement with the interior surface of said first sleeve.

7. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereb smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity throng said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said core piece large section being provided with a plurality of radially projecting elements which supportingly engage the interior surface of said second sleeve. 

1. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said rod being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in rod-encircling relation and disposed in close proximity to but spaced from said rod one end, the large section of said core piece having a surface thereof disposed in abutting coincident relation with respect to said rod one end, and said second sleeve having a portion thereof overlying in spaced relation said tobacco rod perforations.
 2. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said small rodlike section of said core piece being provided with radially projecting elements which supportingly engage the interior surface of said first sleeve.
 3. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein said tobacco rod is provided with external smoke passage means adjacent to said rod one end and said smoke passage means communicate with said passageway.
 4. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein said tobacco rod includes an elongated core of tobacco and an outer wrapper encompassing said tobacco core; the end of said wrapper adjacent said rod one end being notched whereby the formed notches provide smoke passages which communicate with said passageway.
 5. The filter cigarette of claim 2 wherein the diameter of said tobacco rod is greater than that of the large section of said core piece and said rod one end defines the upstream eNd of said passageway whereby smoke passes directly from said rod to said passageway during smoking of the cigarette.
 6. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said core piece large section being provided with a plurality of radially extending symmetrically arranged protuberances in supporting engagement with the interior surface of said second sleeve and said core piece small section being provided with a plurality of radially extending symmetrically arranged protuberances in supporting engagement with the interior surface of said first sleeve.
 7. A filter cigarette comprising an elongated tobacco rod and a filter assembly affixed to one end of said rod, said assembly including a smoke-impervious core piece having a large disc shape section disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said rod one end and a small rodlike section extending downstream from said large section; a smoke-pervious member disposed adjacent to and in axial alignment with said core piece small section; a first sleeve encompassing said core piece and said smoke-pervious member, said first sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged in encircling relation with respect to said core piece small section; and a smoke-impervious second sleeve encompassing said first sleeve and connecting said first sleeve to said rod one end, said first and second sleeves having portions thereof disposed in spaced relation and forming a passageway communicating at one end with said rod one end and at the other end with the perforations formed in said first sleeve whereby smoke from said passageway passes at a high velocity through said perforations and impinges on the exterior surface of said core piece small section prior to passing through said pervious member; said core piece large section being provided with a plurality of radially projecting elements which supportingly engage the interior surface of said second sleeve. 